Attachable holder with flexible ring for any handheld device

ABSTRACT

An attachable holder includes a flexible ring that can be attached to a portable electronic device, or a case of a portable electronic device, to allow a user to insert their finger to hold the case. The flexible ring would be able to swivel, relative to the phone, for comfort for a user&#39;s finger, such as an index or ring finger, to easily slide through to help the user make and retain a good grip on the mobile device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/570,263, filed Dec. 13, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mobile device accessories and, more particularly, to an attachable holder having a flexible ring for a user's finger to help secure a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, mobile media player, tablet computer, e-reader, or the like.

Many people drop their phones due to the slim/slippery way they are made. Most handheld devices, due to their smaller size, are easily dropped. Many users use one or more fingers to control the device, further making the grip on the device less stable.

Conventional cell phone retention devices may be large, cumbersome cases, or, in some cases, may be a rigid ring that is fixed on the phone. With the rigid rings, there is no way to adjust the position of the phone to achieve a desired position while in use. Moreover, with current smartphones, where the screen may be viewed both horizontally and vertically, fixed, rigid rings may not be convenient for a user.

As can be seen, there is a need for an accessory for a mobile handheld device that can help secure the device to the user when in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an attachable holder for a handheld device comprises a first piece adapted to connect to the handheld device; and a second piece having a flexible ring formed thereupon, wherein the first piece swivels relative to the second piece, and the second piece is adapted to removably attach to the first piece.

In another aspect of the present invention, an attachable holder for a handheld device comprises a base member adapted to connect to the handheld device; and a flexible ring; a stem portion attached to the flexible ring; and a pedestal portion raised to receive the stem portion thereunder, wherein the base member swivels relative to the flexible ring, and the flexible ring is adapted to removably attach to the base portion.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an attachable holder, secured to a handheld device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the attachable holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the attachable holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the attachable holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the attachable holder of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a partial section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an attachable holder including a flexible ring that can be attached to a portable electronic device, or a case of a portable electronic device, to allow a user to insert their finger to hold the case. The flexible ring would be able to swivel, relative to the phone, for comfort for a user's finger, such as an index or ring finger, to easily slide through to help the user make and retain a good grip on the mobile device.

The flexible ring may be made of an elastic material that may be adapted to elastically fit onto a user's finger. The size of the ring may be chosen to fit the intended user. For example, the rings may be made in small, medium and large sizes to accommodate a variety of users. The elasticity of the ring may be such that the ring may securely fit onto a user's finger, but may not be too tight so as to, for example, limit circulation when wearing the ring. The ring may be formed in various colors, as may be desired by the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, a base member 16 can be attached to a handheld device 12 (or a case for a handheld device). The base member 16 can attach by various suitable means as known in the art, such as by a pressure sensitive adhesive 14, double stick tape, glue, or the like. A flexible ring 18 can be attached to the base member 16 so that the flexible ring 18 can remain fixed, allowing the handheld device 12 to pivot.

Various mechanisms can be used to pivotably secure the flexible ring 18 to the base member 16. For example, the base member 16 can include a pedestal portion 22 under which a stem portion 20 of the flexible ring 18 can slide. A locking tab 24 of the base member 16 can keep the stem portion 20 from sliding out of the pedestal portion 22 once inserted. Typically, the stem portion 20 is a circular shaped member, allowing the handheld device 12 (and the attached base member 16) to pivot relative to the stem portion 20 of the flexible ring 18, while keeping the stem portion 20 locked in place within the pedestal portion 22 of the base member 16.

While the drawings show the base member 16 as a separate piece that attaches to the handheld device 12 (or a case for the handheld device), the base member 16 may be formed integrally with the handheld device 12 or a case for the handheld device 12, allowing a user to readily snap into place a desired stem member for providing an attachment for their device.

The attachable holder of the present invention may be used with a variety of mobile devices. For example, the attachable holder may be used with a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet computing device (such as an iPad®, for example), an e-reader, or the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An attachable holder for a handheld device, comprising: a first piece adapted to connect to the handheld device; and a second piece having a flexible ring formed thereupon, wherein the first piece swivels relative to the second piece, and the second piece is adapted to removably attach to the first piece.
 2. The attachable holder of claim 1, wherein the first piece is attached to the handheld device with an adhesive.
 3. The attachable holder of claim 1, wherein the first piece is attached to a case for the handheld device.
 4. The attachable holder of claim 1, wherein the first piece is formed integrally with either the handheld device or a case for the handheld device.
 5. The attachable holder of claim 1, wherein the second piece includes a stem portion attached to the flexible ring.
 6. The attachable holder of claim 5, wherein the first piece includes a pedestal portion raised to receive the stem portion thereunder.
 7. The attachable holder of claim 6, wherein the first piece includes a locking tab to retain the stem portion under the pedestal portion.
 8. An attachable holder for a handheld device, comprising: a base member adapted to connect to the handheld device; and a flexible ring; a stem portion attached to the flexible ring; and a pedestal portion raised to receive the stem portion thereunder, wherein the base member swivels relative to the flexible ring, and the flexible ring is adapted to removably attach to the base portion.
 9. The attachable holder of claim 8, wherein the first piece includes a locking tab to retain the stem portion under the pedestal portion.
 10. The attachable holder of claim 8, wherein the base member is attached to the handheld device with an adhesive. 